Aerospace Defence

Leonardo approves RHH Franks as a digital subcontract manufacturing partner

Posted 17 August 2021

Leonardo has named RHH Franks as one of its approved digital subcontract manufacturing partners for its helicopter division.

Image courtesy Deep South Media Limited
LIFT OFF: Christopher Thomson, supplier development manager UK for Leonardo Helicopters (UK) division, with RHH Franks managing director Elsa Hogan

This is further to improvements made from the collaborative diagnostics on the SC21 programme, for which RHH Franks first achieved a bronze award in 2019.

RHH Franks, a global component manufacturer based in New Milton, Hampshire, has been working with the aerospace engineering solutions provider since the 1990s, manufacturing quality components for legacy aircraft, including the Lynx and Sea King.

Following significant investment in a factory expansion, specialist resources and the CATIA V5 system, RHH Franks is now able to receive digital 3D product designs and manufacture any component required for the Leonardo fleet, including the Wildcat helicopter.

This has led to the official approval of RHH Franks as a digital subcontract manufacturer by Leonardo and enhances the company’s manufacturing capability for other clients worldwide across multiple sectors.

Christopher Thomson, Supplier Development Manager UK for Leonardo Helicopters (UK) Division, said: “We’ve always experienced the highest level of service and quality since working with RHH Franks and are delighted to be able to add them to our approved digital partner list.

“RHH Franks’ values and commitment to excellence are very much aligned with Leonardo’s and its investment in CATIA V5 will only enhance the way in which we collaborate.”

Utilising the powerful and functional CATIA V5 software, RHH Franks can take any product concept from 3D design to support large batch original equipment manufacturers, medium batch legacy replenishment or small prototype production.

Elsa Hogan, RHH Franks Managing Director, said: “Leonardo is an innovative company manufacturing one of the most wide-ranging and versatile aircraft fleet in the world, and for that alone we are proud to have been working with them for almost 30 years.

“We are therefore thankful, that with its support, we were able to take the next step in our growth plan and develop our manufacturing capacity and capability with CATIA V5.

“The software has already had a considerable positive impact on output, and we hope to increase this further by working more with Leonardo in the future.”